Unidentified criminals stabbed a Chhatra League leader to death in the city's Karail area early yesterday allegedly over personal enmity.

The dead is Rakib Hossain Hamza, president of ward-19 Chhatra League.

Witnesses said a group of criminals swooped on Rakib and his friend Nur Islam near the BTCL staff quarter in Karail, about 30 yards away from Rakib's house, around 12:30pm.

Two of them stabbed Rakib and his friend indiscriminately, leaving the duo injured, Alamgir Jalil, sub-inspector of Banani police, said citing Nur Islam.

Rakib, 28, died after he was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. His friend was admitted to the hospital, the SI added.

Shahbuddin, who was cleaning a nearby drain at that time, said he rushed to the scene hearing screams of Nur Islam, who was acquainted with him.

“I saw Rakib groaning on the ground with blood oozing from his wounds. We took them to the hospital,” he added.

The two friends came under attack when they were returning home after playing badminton at a nearby field, said Akhteruzzaman Russell, president of Banani Chhatra League.

Rakib's father Altab Hossain said his son was a master's student at Government Titumir College and had no enmity with anyone.

Rafiqul Islam, assistant commissioner (Gulshan Zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, however, said primary investigation indicated that Rakib's personal enmity with one Sajib of a neighbouring area might be behind the murder.

The police official said they were trying to arrest Sajib and his associates.

Police sources said Sajib is a leader of Jubo Dal, the BNP's youth wing, at Karail slum.

Law enforcers handed over the victim's body to his relatives after an autopsy was conducted at Dhaka Medical College.